Have you ever wondered exactly what that phrase *kingdom of heaven* means? What is the kingdom of heaven? Where is the kingdom of heaven? Well I've done another BlueLetterBible.org search for keywords kingdom of heaven and here's what came up (as before I've left off the Strong's reference numbers, you can go even further in depth with those from their site). I've only included the 31 EXACT phrase matches below:
The words 'kingdom of heaven' occur in 40 verses, including 31 exact phrase matches shown:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. {John the Baptist was saying this.}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. {Now Jesus is saying it, therefore Jesus cannot be the kingdom of heaven because even he says it's *at hand* meaning coming soon. However, He's likely the embodiment of the kingdom since He is the King of it.}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 5:3 Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {kingdom here and in all of the parables seems to speak of the kingdom subjects, the saints/elect past|present|future.}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 5:10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. {Apparently you can break the commandments, and even teach others to do so, but that will affect your status in heaven ... it's moreso advisable to do the commandments and teach them!}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. {If you read my previous article you'll know that an example of those not entering the kingdom are the five virgins that didn't have enough oil (Holy Spirit) in their lamps. See Matthew 25:1-13}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. {WOW, many will get to sit with the partriachs, who will be IN the kingdom of heaven!}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. {Yep, even 2,000 years later ... consider this, it's closer now then it was then!}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. {I believe this reference to the kingdom means it's subjects, for which John the Baptist would be one, as were many other martyred Christians past|present|future ... take it by force meaning martyring the saints/elect and even the Messiah, Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. {This whole chapter is parables on the likeness of the kingdom of heaven. This whole chapter is worth reading, the parables are given first and then their meanings ... read them and learn!}--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe [which is] instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man [that is] an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure [things] new and old.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man [that is] an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mat 25:14 For [the kingdom of heaven is] as a man travelling into a far country, [who] called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We must be converted. Converted means to accept Jesus' mission, His gospel, His good news, His sacrifice for you. To believe in faith that He lived as a man, born of a virgin, ministered for a time, did many miracles, died, and was resurrected and now resides in heaven with God our Father. Except you be converted and believe like little children, you cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven ... a literal place and I'd venture to guess it's where the *mansions* are that await us believers ... and moreso, I would bet it's New Jerusalem! God the Father, Jesus His Son, the angels, the saints/elect/prophets ... all will be in the kingdom of heaven and make up that kingdom. I believe the kingdom of heaven is currently where God is, His heaven, at some point future that kingdom WILL be HERE on earth when the Lord Jesus returns!
Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus, Come!
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© Deb (Sandberg) Murtagh 2006
ALL Rights Reserved!